Based on the average house in the nation’s economic powerhouse, Sydney, a $520,000 mortgage will buy you an average, Australian house. That’s approximately equivalent to US$335,000, UK225,000, NZ$630,000 or Euro260,000. So we wondered, what will half-a-million Aussie dollars buy across the nation? How average is average? A slick townhouse, a large family home in the ‘burbs’ or a fancy apartment in the CBD?
Have a look at this a snapshot of some of the best houses, apartments or townhouses up for sale and auction across Australia – you might be very surprised to see what $500,000 buys!
Geelong, Victoria
Auction: Bidding starts at least AU$500,000
Median Local Price: $315,000
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
Straight out of the pages of a glossy magazine, it simply doesn’t get any better than this! The home has been painstakingly rebuilt transforming it into a contemporary, practical home, whilst still retaining it’s period charm.Every inch of this caliber property oozes style. It features three main bedrooms and a study, master has full ensuite, double vanity and huge WIR with custom built cabinetry. Central hallway with polished hardwood floors through out, towards the rear of the home is the main expansive open plan living area. Upstairs is the second living area, which would be perfect as a home theatre room or second living area.
Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD
Auction: Bidding starts at $520,000
Median Local Price (Units): $503,000
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Car garage: 1
The majestic Manhattan is located at the “Paris End” of Melbourne’s Trendiest Laneway. Within this boutique building you will find an apartment rich with charm, character and a contemporary warehouse design. Facing North East, feel the warmth in knowing this apartment is 1 of 5 lucky few with Flinders Lane frontage and a balcony to top it all off. Not only does this provide exceptional views from your balcony it drenches the east facing bedrooms in morning light, something rare within CBD property. It boasts high ceilings, a gigantic bathroom, separate toilet, fantastic living space and in house laundry.
Sydney, Glenwood
Price: Offers $500,000+
Median Local Price: $489,950
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
A spacious open-plan single level home with living areas for the whole family. Four bedrooms (main with ensuite and walk in robe) all other bedrooms have built in robes. There’s a formal lounge and separate dining area, timber kitchen adjoining casual meals area and family room plus rumpus room. The property, is set in beautiful established landscaped gardens with a huge entertaining area at the rear with plenty of room for a pool.
Bathurst Street, Sydney CBD
Price: $545,000
Median Local Price: $530,000
Bedrooms: 1 Bathrooms: 1 Car garage: 0
This Sydney CBD 1 bedroom apartment enjoys all the plush and well planned features you’d expect to find in Sydney. And because its a Sydney CBD apartment it has access to indoor/outdoor 50m heated swimming pool, adjoining 20m pool, gym and more.
Central Coast, NSW
Price: Offers around $500,000
Median Local Price: $320,125
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 4 Car garage: 2
Riviera Apartments at The Entrance are situated on the most beautiful scenic point of the deep channel inlet and Tuggerah Lakes and positioned perfectly for aspect, sunlight and sea breezes. Its property that will never lose its views. There’s a resort pool, games room and gym, plus a coffee shop downstairs.
The apartments are highly finished with state of the art fittings and designer finishes.
Newcastle
Price: $539,000
Median Local Price: $285,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Car garage: 2
This newly built home in Fennell Bay sits quietly in a newly established estate surrounded by other quality new homes. This 4 bedroom house comes with all the mod cons too – ducted air & vacuum and double garage set on a large 700sqm block.
Blueys Beach, Myall Lakes
Price: $500,000+
Median Local Price: $277,000
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 1
Pool: Inground Pool
Check out this modern stylish three bedroom, two bathroom spacious townhouse located in ever-so-quiet Blueys Retreat, Blueys Beach. Its just a five minute walk to the small set of local shops and the beach. The property features open plan living with leafy/lagoon views, shadow set ceilings, modern fixtures and fittings, entertaining deck, en suite bathroom and carport with lock up storage.
Taree, Manning Valley
Price: $500,000+
Median Local Price: $220,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
Pool: Inground
If home entertainment is your thing, this is the one for you! Its a new architecturally designed home in the sought after Manning Waters Estate on New South Wales’ Mid North Coast with 9 foot ceilings and halogen downlights throughout. The home is networked to provide access to satellite TV, computer, high definition TV, and audio throughout. The formal lounge has been set up as a home theatre. Outside the alfresco entertaining area has outdoor speakers and there’s a gorgeous saltwater pool.
North Shore, Port Macquarie
Price: $510,000
Median Local Price: $345,000
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
This home is a definite must see riverside property situated in a beautiful, tranquil and relaxing part of Port Macquarie’s North Shore. The home has been constructed on a massive 1189m2 block with reserve river frontage. The home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, open plan kitchen, dining and living – leading to the very large deck which captures breath taking views of the Hastings River.
Coffs Harbour
Price: $549,000
Median Local Price: $320,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
Barely a year old, this Coffs Harbour house boasts dynamic, architectural styling by award winning “Design Studio 22“. The house utilises high ceilings, natural light & gleaming timber floors to achieve a style that’s hard to ignore with a wonderful sense of space. This 4 bedroom home offers all the features you would expect in a property of this calibre including ensuite, walk in robe/dressing room, open plan living plus a separate media room, gorgeous granite kitchen complete with a walk in larder, drive thru double garage & more. Facing North East from an elavated position allows for the first glimpses of morning sunshine to shine in. Its set on a fully landscaped block within a quality, peaceful estate.
Byron Bay
Price: $535,000
Median Local Price: $740,000
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
This timber house is nestled amongst the trees in a tranquil setting in the Byron Bay town. The home has beautiful timber features throughout and is split level in design adding to the privacy which each room holds. With a main bedroom opening onto the decks and gardens and an en suite attached on the first level, then two further rooms with another bathroom and decks this ensures all have their own space and privacy. Timber floors and windows feature in the living areas and a full timber kitchen opens onto the dining area. The property is only 10 mins walk through the rainforest to Tallows Beach and the lively cafe’s and restaurants of Byron town.
Burleigh Heads, Gold Coast
Price: $535,000
Median Local Price: $537,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
Pool: Inground pool
This is a hot Gold Coast property which features 4 bedrooms with master suite walk in robe and en-suite and an inground pool out the back no less. There’s a lovely deck and backyard, plus a rain water tank to collect what precious rain water when it does rain. After all, the Gold Coast basks in sunshine for well over 300 days per year. This is a real family home with lots of room to play with on the 672m2 landscaped block.
Brisbane CBD
Price: $520,000
Median Local Price: $580,000
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 1
A 2 bedroom apartment on the 23rd floor of Charlotte Towers and in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD situated a short walk to the Queen St Mall, Treasury Casino, City Botanic Gardens, Bus Stop & shops. The double glazed sliding glass panel doors keep the buzzing city noises out. There’s loads of resort style facilities in the tower: outdoor plunge pool & sundeck, barbeque pavilion, indoor 25m lap pool, sauna, fully equipped state of the art gymnasium, in-room dining, bar & restaurant, and ample visitor parking.
Bentley Park, Cairns
Price: $424,990
Median Local Price: $359,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
Located in a much sought after suburb of Cairns on an slightly elevated block the house features 4 extra large air-conditioned bedrooms, main with en suite and walk-in robe and the other bedrooms with mirrored built-in robes. The fully fenced rear yard has plenty of room for a pool.
Darwin
Price: $499,000
Median Local Price: $580,000
Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
Unit Area: 350sqm Year Built: 2005
This is 350sqm 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment boasts modern style kitchen in the heart of Darwin. Fine open plan living and dining area and a superb outdoor entertaining space. The Stuart Park apartment also has two 2 car parks and a practical storage room plus access to the pool in the complex — there’s even a yard that comes with the apartment.
Downtown Adelaide
Price: $490,000 – $510,000
Median Local Price: $555,000
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1
Carport: 1 Year Built: 1884
Located in this popular city fringe suburb, this refurbished 1884 property has sophisticated white decor throughout, polished timber flooring, open fireplaces, leadlight, 2 generous bedrooms, elegant sitting room, modern bathroom and open plan kitchen adjoining a delightful dining area. There’s also two private courtyards and secure off street parking.
Perth CBD
Price: $480,000
Median Local Price: $540,000
Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 1 Car garage: 1 Pool: Shared
Situated on the very top floor is this exciting 2 bed executive apartment that comes furnished. The balcony boasts stunning views of Perth and features open plan living, fully equipped kitchen, car bay, full security, r/c air, pool, gym and so much more! Its always a short stroll to your favourite shops, cafes and restaurants right in the centre of Perth.
Canberra
Price: $500,000+
Median Local Price: $499,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
This absolutely stunning four bedroom en suite plus rumpus home with double garage is a brilliant suburban Canberra home. Inside, it has solid polished timber flooring throughout, a rumpus that will fit a pool/billiard table, granite galley kitchen and 9 ft high ceilings. From the outside you’ll appreciate the building’s tactile sandstone block construction and alfresco courtyard area leading into the backyard.
Hobart
Price: $525,000
Median Local Price: $312,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 2
This Old Beach house in Hobart has it all; air con, built-in wardrobes, spa bath, landscaped garden and views out over the river. Everything has been done to this large family home, 373m2 in size consisting of 4 bedrooms with built-ins the main having a walk in robe and en suite with spa bath, elegant entry hall, formal lounge room, spacious well equipped kitchen with walk in pantry, open plan family/dining area with reverse cycle heating and sliding door to back verandah. Downstairs is a huge rumpus having access to the backyard with another bedroom, bar and separate toilet. A magnificent property all round.
Magra, Regional Tasmania
Price: $500,000+
Median Local Price: $175,000
Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Car garage: 4
Land: 23 acres of pasture
Tasmania is an island of inspiration. If you are looking for a quiet peaceful place to live but still be within distance to Hobart, then this 23 acres pasture and home will be of interest. Its fully fenced and watered by town water and its own dam.
Mark is one of the personal finance writers for Money Choices which does
One word – WOAH!
I think I could live in a tent ,and be happy in that beautiful country. I have a very good feeling about the life style of the government, and the people, sort of how America once was.
Wow. It is interesting to see the price differences between the US and Australia. Now you just need to write an article about immigration to Australia
Yeah & i will read you piece..trying to get my self down there……
I’m in love!!! I especially love the house with the salt water pool! Now if I could only find employment there, it would be perfect!
Thanks for this post. A glimpse yes into America of old. Or of now. Depending.
What might be a cool edit– geo-locations for the featured posts. As I’m in the middle of the midwest, the names and places of locations in Australia leave me clueless. Although I can easily GoogleEarth/Map the names, having that as an added click-bonus on the photos would be nice.
Just my 2¢ / .0307070 AUD worth.
Interesting, but the 75% of Australia that lies on the other side of the Dividing Range and the Murray is ignored yet again.
Interesting, but the 75% of Australia that lies on the other side of the Dividing Range and the Murray is ignored yet again.
Lloyd Middleton … You would be unhappy in a tent here in Australia, the bogans and dudes in utes would just throw empty beer cans at you and attempt to destroy your peace and quiet and your peace of mind. We ARE America. Thanks to TV. And Videos. And MTV. And Movies. Our language has changed, we write words like specialized instead of specialised. We say cookies instead of biscuits. We say fries instead of chips.
Our people have changed and for all the bogans who say they don’t want anyone emigrating here, well why don’t you just leave because it’s the white Australians who have made this country undesirable and the immigrants are the people who have brought flavour and colour and culture and manners to this country. A country which white Australians have treated appallingly and not shown any respect to its native people or its environment or its elders and the general population have become rude, fast, uncouth, uncaring and boring in a Stepford kind of way.
So, you’d best stay in America because it ain’t all beer and skittles here mate.
Signed … an increasingly disillusioned Australian who was a teenager in the 70′s and is now a bewildered forty-something in 2008.
We’ll come to you
Yes I realise I am in the wrong forum for this. Getting back on track. We do have a physically beautiful country, fantastic old farmhouses, gorgeous country, quaint and unusual animals but the reality of its people are different to what you see in movies and TV and ads.
Dear Christine,
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Just pay a little attention to what’s going on over here in the US lately, it’s not any better. This hypnotized population is in love with our newest arrival, (Barack Obama) who has threatened our population with more socialization, redistrbution of wealth and Federalization of our banks, businesses than we’ve ever seen before.
Both our countries have broken away from the tyranny of total British rule and now we all face the same fate again.
I love Australia and your people and do respect my many friends who come from places like Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney and beyond.
If I could ‘jump the fence’ like the Mexicans do I would.
Love your country and don’t give in to liberals who would have you kiss their ring.
Hail to Kath and Kim.
Rich
Still a better deal than So. California.